so im looking at the book, and the FAQ, and a chaplains power weapon is classified as a power maul, so its now a Str 6, but AP 4 weapon that makes multi-wound models that take an unsaved wound Init 1 til the end of the following assault phase (ie, end of game turn). so he wounds on 2's vs marines, but they still get an armor save. thats not a power weapon; thats just a damn big chain sword! this will also apply to any librarians with a staff, as this profile covers all 'power weapons' that are blunt force trauma type weapons. though calling them a power weapon at that point is misleading since it cant negate power armor.

axes and halberds on a marine will be a Str 5, AP 2, but strike at init 1.

swords and daggers on a marine would be a Str 4 AP 3 weapon.

spears and lances might be where it's at; if the model charges, its +1 Str and AP 3. after that, its user str, AP 4.

I think the most interesting of all the new classes of power weapons is the Axe. its +1 strength, I1... but its ap2 and can be paired with a pistol for an extra attack. and for most folks is only 15 points.

Do Marine Sarge;s auto get a power sword, or can you model it as an axe?

the mauls are interesting too, in their own way. sometimes its nice to have a weapon that can wound MC's or bikes on a 4+. And most of those guys dont have much better than a 4+ save usually anyway.

_________________There is no 'overkill.' There is only 'open fire' and 'time to reload.'

There's nothing wrong with a power maul. It can cause more total wounds and smash the shit out of vehicles. It's balanced enough with the other power weapon options. And like Beau already mentioned it does negate armour.

The only thing I am a bit irritated by with the power maul is the that a Chaplain's "Crozius Arcanum" counts as one. Rather than getting a choice like most models (with the WYSING rules). For vet sarges and such I can see the value of it but for ICs chances are you are going to face off against another and they will probably be packing a 3+ or better save.

I can see that it's irritating not getting to choose. You will cause more wounds however and you still got the 4++. I don't see it being worse. The ability to smash vehicles really good for no extra points is a big bonus.

i agree with Aegwymourn, he knows exactly what i mean; chaplains have always had a power weapon that negates marine armor. now they're not able to do that anymore. Chaplains are mostly taken as the leader of an anti-power armor melee unit for their re-rolls and power weapon. now they're not going to do that anymore. yea you'll wound on a 2+, but not being AP 3 or better means he's gonna have that wound saved 66% of the time by a basic marine.

its a big miff, because you dont get to 'choose' what power weapon type to model it as and therefore choose what properties it has on the weapon; the FAQ states bluntly "a Crozius Arcanum is a Power Maul." at least with sergeants and captains, we're given the option of modeling the power weapon as a sword or axe or mace or lance so we can choose what properties we want the weapon to have. chaplains don't get that freedom. they're still be good against non-power armor armies, i wont deny that, but the truth is, world-wide, 'most' of the armies out there are marines. and that change is gonna upset alot of marines, especially blood angels players, that used the chaplains alot against other marine lists.

I'll try this another way. Out of the last 4 tourneys I'be run, about 1/4 are meq. Marine are not the only army, and shouldn't be. Chaplains are different. So are rhinos. Use them differently. C'mon mike, live a little:)

tried a game today with james, and the power axe stats affected his grey knights pretty negatively. Halberds are considered axes, so we decided that since they're sposed to be +2 initiative for their special rule, we ran them as Init 1 for being an axe, with +2 init for its special rules; so they were init 3. that meant i got in alot more hits and wounds before his weapons struck.

for a tactical sergeant, i'd say they'd be useful when you want something stronger like a powerfist for hunting stuff with 2+ armor saves, but need a cheaper point cost, especially if you're ok with hitting last.